Telework Bill On Its Way

Young Government Leaders along with several organizations have long advocated for progressive and cutting edge teleworking as a key factor to retaining a government workforce at competition with the civilian sector.  Young people especially want flexibility and new ways of working to accomodate different lifestyles.  Requiring agencies and departments to embrace and foster telework opportunities, along with learning to lead with employees logged on, is challenging but doable. 

Both the House and Senate are working on the 2010 Telework Enhancement Act to expand telecommuting.  The Senate measure (S. 707), sponsored by Sens. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, passed in May, and the House version (H.R. 1722) passed on July 14.  After conferencing, both chambers will then vote on the final bill before sending to President Obama to sign into law.

Key requirements, include:

1. Provide training to teleworkers
2. Distinguishing between teleworkers and nonteleworkers for performance appraisal, training, and other purposes
3. Agencies must appoint a telework manager to serve as a resource and be notified of grievance procedures
4. Agencies must incorporate teleworking into continuity of operations plans
5. Requires the GAO to establish a system for evaluating each agency's telework policy
6. Requires the GAO to report annually on telework policies
7. OPM must describe telework regulations
8. OPM must provide telework assistance and guidance to agencies

To find out more about the bills, you can go to Congressional Research Service (CRS) summaries here:

* S. 707
* H.R. 1722

Also, are you a leader who wants to implement telework effectively and get the most out of your employees? Check out the Graduate School's related class:

Telework: A Manager's Perspective

Tim Sommella
President
Young Government Leaders